The law of God , from its very nature , is unchangeable . It is a revelation of the will and the character of its Author . God is love , and His law is love . Its two great principles are love to God and love to man . “ Love is the fulfilling of the law .” Romans 13:10 . The character of God is righteousness and truth ; such is the nature of His law . Says the psalmist : “ Thy law is the truth :” “ all Thy commandments are righteousness .” Psalm 119:142 , 172 . And the apostle Paul declares : “ The law is holy , and the commandment holy , and just , and good .” Romans 7:12 . Such a law , being an expression of the mind and will of God , must be as enduring as its Author .
It is the work of conversion and sanctification to reconcile men to God by bringing them into accord with the principles of His law . In the beginning , man was created in the image of God . He was in perfect harmony with the nature and the law of God ; the principles of righteousness were written upon his heart . But sin alienated him from his Maker . He no longer reflected the divine image . His heart was at war with the principles of God ’ s law . “ The carnal mind is enmity against God : for it is not subject to the law of God , neither indeed can be .” Romans 8:7 . But “ God so loved the world , that He gave His only-begotten Son ,” that man might be reconciled to God . Through the merits of Christ he can be restored to harmony with his Maker . His heart must be renewed by divine grace ; he must have a new life from above . This change is the new birth , without which , says Jesus , “ he cannot see the kingdom of God .”
The first step in reconciliation to God is the conviction of sin . “ Sin is the transgression of the law .” “ By the law is the knowledge of sin .” 1 John 3:4 ; Romans 3:20 . In order to see his guilt , the sinner must test his character by God ’ s great standard of righteousness . It is a mirror which shows the perfection of a righteous character and enables him to discern the defects in his own .
The law reveals to man his sins , but it provides no remedy .
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